5 Stars

*****

Each year at the Fringe there are a few acts that aren’t generally well known at the start but, by word of mouth and several favourable reviews, they become the memorable acts of that year. I predict Finnish a cappella group FORK will come into this category. (I am writing this review on August 8th.) Actually, it is not such a difficult prediction to make when a music act receives a standing ovation after their second encore.

FORK are made up of two girls and two guys. If there is one word which sums up their performance, it is the word spectacular. Their selection of rock songs has one of the four taking the lead, backed up by a driving beat and precise harmonies from the other three. Accompanying the music there is a light show and back projection. Their eye-catching costumes are individualised but co-ordinated, white in the first half and black in the second. Their performance is slickly choreographed. They can do edgy or raunchy whatever the song suggests. And yes, with all that is going on, they can sing and even do a bit of ironic humour between songs.

It takes a bold group to take on a full version of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ as their final encore but they nailed it. As they performed their set, I recognised most of the songs but, reassuringly, when the group had made their final exit, there was a run-down of their song list projected on to the screen.

It is interesting assessing how the members of an audience react to an unfamiliar act. My impression was of an uncertainty at the outset but by the end they were completely won over.

Reviewed by Ben

Assembly George Square – George Square Theatre: 3

3 to 28 August 2011 (not 10, 17)

18.05 – 19.15

Fringe Programme Page Number: 216